Method for performing semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) activation in multiple SPS resources in wireless communication system and a device therefor

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and a device for performing a SPS activation in multiple SPS resources in wireless communication system, the method comprising: receiving an activation command for a first set of Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) resources from a network, wherein a second set of SPS resources which is already activated on the UE; activating the first set of SPS resources and deactivating the second set of SPS resources based on the activation command for the first set of SPS resources; and transmitting a SPS confirmation Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) which indicates that the UE successfully deactivates the second set of SPS resources and activates the first set of SPS resources, in a response to the activation command for the first set of SPS resources.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371of International Application No. PCT/KR2018/013302, filed on Nov. 5,2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/595,521, filed on Dec. 6, 2017. The disclosures of the priorapplications are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and,more particularly, to a method for performing a SPS activation inmultiple SPS resources in wireless communication system and a devicetherefor.

BACKGROUND ART

As an example of a mobile communication system to which the presentinvention is applicable, a 3rd Generation Partnership Project Long TermEvolution (hereinafter, referred to as LTE) communication system isdescribed in brief.

FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating a network structure of anE-UMTS as an exemplary radio communication system. An Evolved UniversalMobile Telecommunications System (E-UMTS) is an advanced version of aconventional Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and basicstandardization thereof is currently underway in the 3GPP. E-UMTS may begenerally referred to as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system. For detailsof the technical specifications of the UMTS and E-UMTS, reference can bemade to Release 7 and Release 8 of “3rd Generation Partnership Project;Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network”.

Referring to FIG. 1, the E-UMTS includes a User Equipment (UE), eNode Bs(eNBs), and an Access Gateway (AG) which is located at an end of thenetwork (E-UTRAN) and connected to an external network. The eNBs maysimultaneously transmit multiple data streams for a broadcast service, amulticast service, and/or a unicast service.

One or more cells may exist per eNB. The cell is set to operate in oneof bandwidths such as 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, and 20 MHz and provides adownlink (DL) or uplink (UL) transmission service to a plurality of UEsin the bandwidth. Different cells may be set to provide differentbandwidths. The eNB controls data transmission or reception to and froma plurality of UEs. The eNB transmits DL scheduling information of DLdata to a corresponding UE so as to inform the UE of a time/frequencydomain in which the DL data is supposed to be transmitted, coding, adata size, and hybrid automatic repeat and request (HARM)-relatedinformation. In addition, the eNB transmits UL scheduling information ofUL data to a corresponding UE so as to inform the UE of a time/frequencydomain which may be used by the UE, coding, a data size, andHARQ-related information. An interface for transmitting user traffic orcontrol traffic may be used between eNBs. A core network (CN) mayinclude the AG and a network node or the like for user registration ofUEs. The AG manages the mobility of a UE on a tracking area (TA) basis.One TA includes a plurality of cells.

Although wireless communication technology has been developed to LTEbased on wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), the demands andexpectations of users and service providers are on the rise. Inaddition, considering other radio access technologies under development,new technological evolution is required to secure high competitivenessin the future. Decrease in cost per bit, increase in serviceavailability, flexible use of frequency bands, a simplified structure,an open interface, appropriate power consumption of UEs, and the likeare required.

As more and more communication devices demand larger communicationcapacity, there is a need for improved mobile broadband communicationcompared to existing RAT. Also, massive machine type communication(MTC), which provides various services by connecting many devices andobjects, is one of the major issues to be considered in the nextgeneration communication (NR, New Radio). In addition, a communicationsystem design considering a service/UE sensitive to reliability andlatency is being discussed. The introduction of next-generation RAT,which takes into account such Enhanced Mobile BroadBand (eMBB)transmission, and ultra-reliable and low latency communication (URLLC)transmission, is being discussed.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies ina method and device for performing a SPS activation in multiple SPSresources in wireless communication system.

In prior art, Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) can be activated by PDCCHmasked with SPS C-RNTI with the New Data Indicator (NDI) field set to 0and the configured resource would be used until SPS released. Todeactivate SPS, the explicit SPS release command or the implicit SPSrelease mechanism is used.

In a case of explicit SPS release command, a UE needs to receive SPSrelease command and send SPS confirmation for the explicit SPS release(i.e. SPS confirmation MAC Control Element triggered by the SPSrelease). On the other hand, in implicit SPS release mechanism, the UEshall clear the configured resources immediately after a certain numberof consecutive new MAC PDUs each containing zero MAC SDUs on the SPSresource.

The sSPS on PCell was introduced in RAN2#99bis, and in RAN2#100, RAN2agreed that SPS and sSPS are not active at the same time. Upon theseagreements, a method for switching for from SPS to sSPS, and vice versa,is required without explicit SPS release command.

The technical problems solved by the present invention are not limitedto the above technical problems and those skilled in the art mayunderstand other technical problems from the following description.

Solution to Problem

The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing amethod for User Equipment (UE) operating in a wireless communicationsystem as set forth in the appended claims.

In another aspect of the present invention, provided herein is acommunication apparatus as set forth in the appended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, in a case that a set of SPSresources is activated in the UE, the UE can deactivate the activatedset of SPS resources by receiving a single activation command foranother set of SPS resources.

This has the advantage of automatically deactivating the activated setof SPS resources without the deactivated command, thus reducing resourcewaste.

Furthermore, the UE has the advantage of transmitting a single SPSconfirmation MAC CE triggered by the activation command to inform thebase station of deactivation and activation simultaneously.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the effectsachieved by the present invention are not limited to what has beenparticularly described hereinabove and other advantages of the presentinvention will be more clearly understood from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network structure of an Evolved UniversalMobile Telecommunications System (E-UMTS) as an example of a wirelesscommunication system;

FIG. 2a is a block diagram illustrating network structure of an evolveduniversal mobile telecommunication system (E-UMTS), and FIG. 2b is ablock diagram depicting architecture of a typical E-UTRAN and a typicalEPC;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control plane and a user plane of a radiointerface protocol between a UE and an E-UTRAN based on a 3rd generationpartnership project (3GPP) radio access network standard;

FIG. 4a is a block diagram illustrating network structure of NG RadioAccess Network (NG-RAN) architecture, and FIG. 4b is a block diagramdepicting architecture of functional Split between NG-RAN and 5G CoreNetwork (5GC);

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a control plane and a user plane of a radiointerface protocol between a UE and a NG-RAN based on a 3rd generationpartnership project (3GPP) radio access network standard;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a communication apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram for performing a SPS activation and a SPSdeactivation in a prior art;

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for performing a SPS activation inmultiple SPS resources by a User Equipment in wireless communicationsystem according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for performing a SPS activation inmultiple SPS resources by a network in wireless communication systemaccording to embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is an example for performing a SPS activation in multiple SPSresources in wireless communication system according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) is a 3rd Generation(3G) asynchronous mobile communication system operating in wideband codedivision multiple access (WCDMA) based on European systems, globalsystem for mobile communications (GSM) and general packet radio services(GPRS). The long-term evolution (LTE) of UMTS is under discussion by the3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) that standardized UMTS.

The 3GPP LTE is a technology for enabling high-speed packetcommunications. Many schemes have been proposed for the LTE objectiveincluding those that aim to reduce user and provider costs, improveservice quality, and expand and improve coverage and system capacity.The 3G LTE requires reduced cost per bit, increased serviceavailability, flexible use of a frequency band, a simple structure, anopen interface, and adequate power consumption of a terminal as anupper-level requirement.

Hereinafter, structures, operations, and other features of the presentinvention will be readily understood from the embodiments of the presentinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Embodiments described later are examples in which technicalfeatures of the present invention are applied to a 3GPP system.

Although the embodiments of the present invention are described using along term evolution (LTE) system and a LTE-advanced (LTE-A) system inthe present specification, they are purely exemplary. Therefore, theembodiments of the present invention are applicable to any othercommunication system corresponding to the above definition. In addition,although the embodiments of the present invention are described based ona frequency division duplex (FDD) scheme in the present specification,the embodiments of the present invention may be easily modified andapplied to a half-duplex FDD (H-FDD) scheme or a time division duplex(TDD) scheme.

FIG. 2a is a block diagram illustrating network structure of an evolveduniversal mobile telecommunication system (E-UMTS). The E-UMTS may bealso referred to as an LTE system. The communication network is widelydeployed to provide a variety of communication services such as voice(VoIP) through IMS and packet data.

As illustrated in FIG. 2a , the E-UMTS network includes an evolved UMTSterrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN), an Evolved Packet Core (EPC)and one or more user equipment. The E-UTRAN may include one or moreevolved NodeB (eNodeB) 20, and a plurality of user equipment (UE) 10 maybe located in one cell. One or more E-UTRAN mobility management entity(MME)/system architecture evolution (SAE) gateways 30 may be positionedat the end of the network and connected to an external network.

As used herein, “downlink” refers to communication from eNodeB 20 to UE10, and “uplink” refers to communication from the UE to an eNodeB. UE 10refers to communication equipment carried by a user and may be alsoreferred to as a mobile station (MS), a user terminal (UT), a subscriberstation (SS) or a wireless device.

FIG. 2b is a block diagram depicting architecture of a typical E-UTRANand a typical EPC.

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, an eNodeB 20 provides end points of a userplane and a control plane to the UE 10. MME/SAE gateway 30 provides anend point of a session and mobility management function for UE 10. TheeNodeB and MME/SAE gateway may be connected via an S1 interface.

The eNodeB 20 is generally a fixed station that communicates with a UE10, and may also be referred to as a base station (BS) or an accesspoint. One eNodeB 20 may be deployed per cell. An interface fortransmitting user traffic or control traffic may be used between eNodeBs20.

The MME provides various functions including NAS signaling to eNodeBs20, NAS signaling security, AS Security control, Inter CN node signalingfor mobility between 3GPP access networks, Idle mode UE Reachability(including control and execution of paging retransmission), TrackingArea list management (for UE in idle and active mode), PDN GW andServing GW selection, MME selection for handovers with MME change, SGSNselection for handovers to 2G or 3G 3GPP access networks, Roaming,Authentication, Bearer management functions including dedicated bearerestablishment, Support for PWS (which includes ETWS and CMAS) messagetransmission. The SAE gateway host provides assorted functions includingPer-user based packet filtering (by e.g. deep packet inspection), LawfulInterception, UE IP address allocation, Transport level packet markingin the downlink, UL and DL service level charging, gating and rateenforcement, DL rate enforcement based on APN-AMBR. For clarity MME/SAEgateway 30 will be referred to herein simply as a “gateway,” but it isunderstood that this entity includes both an MME and an SAE gateway.

A plurality of nodes may be connected between eNodeB 20 and gateway 30via the S1 interface. The eNodeBs 20 may be connected to each other viaan X2 interface and neighboring eNodeBs may have a meshed networkstructure that has the X2 interface.

As illustrated, eNodeB 20 may perform functions of selection for gateway30, routing toward the gateway during a Radio Resource Control (RRC)activation, scheduling and transmitting of paging messages, schedulingand transmitting of Broadcast Channel (BCCH) information, dynamicallocation of resources to UEs 10 in both uplink and downlink,configuration and provisioning of eNodeB measurements, radio bearercontrol, radio admission control (RAC), and connection mobility controlin LTE_ACTIVE state. In the EPC, and as noted above, gateway 30 mayperform functions of paging origination, LTE-IDLE state management,ciphering of the user plane, System Architecture Evolution (SAE) bearercontrol, and ciphering and integrity protection of Non-Access Stratum(NAS) signaling.

The EPC includes a mobility management entity (MME), a serving-gateway(S-GW), and a packet data network-gateway (PDN-GW). The MME hasinformation about connections and capabilities of UEs, mainly for use inmanaging the mobility of the UEs. The S-GW is a gateway having theE-UTRAN as an end point, and the PDN-GW is a gateway having a packetdata network (PDN) as an end point.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control plane and a user plane of a radiointerface protocol between a UE and an E-UTRAN based on a 3GPP radioaccess network standard. The control plane refers to a path used fortransmitting control messages used for managing a call between the UEand the E-UTRAN. The user plane refers to a path used for transmittingdata generated in an application layer, e.g., voice data or Internetpacket data.

A physical (PHY) layer of a first layer provides an information transferservice to a higher layer using a physical channel. The PHY layer isconnected to a medium access control (MAC) layer located on the higherlayer via a transport channel. Data is transported between the MAC layerand the PHY layer via the transport channel. Data is transported betweena physical layer of a transmitting side and a physical layer of areceiving side via physical channels. The physical channels use time andfrequency as radio resources. In detail, the physical channel ismodulated using an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA)scheme in downlink and is modulated using a single carrier frequencydivision multiple access (SC-FDMA) scheme in uplink.

The MAC layer of a second layer provides a service to a radio linkcontrol (RLC) layer of a higher layer via a logical channel. The RLClayer of the second layer supports reliable data transmission. Afunction of the RLC layer may be implemented by a functional block ofthe MAC layer. A packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer of thesecond layer performs a header compression function to reduceunnecessary control information for efficient transmission of anInternet protocol (IP) packet such as an IP version 4 (IPv4) packet oran IP version 6 (IPv6) packet in a radio interface having a relativelysmall bandwidth.

A radio resource control (RRC) layer located at the bottom of a thirdlayer is defined only in the control plane. The RRC layer controlslogical channels, transport channels, and physical channels in relationto configuration, re-configuration, and release of radio bearers (RBs).An RB refers to a service that the second layer provides for datatransmission between the UE and the E-UTRAN. To this end, the RRC layerof the UE and the RRC layer of the E-UTRAN exchange RRC messages witheach other.

One cell of the eNB is set to operate in one of bandwidths such as 1.25,2.5, 5, 10, 15, and 20 MHz and provides a downlink or uplinktransmission service to a plurality of UEs in the bandwidth. Differentcells may be set to provide different bandwidths.

Downlink transport channels for transmission of data from the E-UTRAN tothe UE include a broadcast channel (BCH) for transmission of systeminformation, a paging channel (PCH) for transmission of paging messages,and a downlink shared channel (SCH) for transmission of user traffic orcontrol messages. Traffic or control messages of a downlink multicast orbroadcast service may be transmitted through the downlink SCH and mayalso be transmitted through a separate downlink multicast channel (MCH).

Uplink transport channels for transmission of data from the UE to theE-UTRAN include a random access channel (RACH) for transmission ofinitial control messages and an uplink SCH for transmission of usertraffic or control messages. Logical channels that are defined above thetransport channels and mapped to the transport channels include abroadcast control channel (BCCH), a paging control channel (PCCH), acommon control channel (CCCH), a multicast control channel (MCCH), and amulticast traffic channel (MTCH).

FIG. 4a is a block diagram illustrating network structure of NG RadioAccess Network (NG-RAN) architecture, and FIG. 4b is a block diagramdepicting architecture of functional Split between NG-RAN and 5G CoreNetwork (5GC).

An NG-RAN node is a gNB, providing NR user plane and control planeprotocol terminations towards the UE, or an ng-eNB, providing E-UTRAuser plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE.

The gNBs and ng-eNBs are interconnected with each other by means of theXn interface. The gNBs and ng-eNBs are also connected by means of the NGinterfaces to the 5GC, more specifically to the AMF (Access and MobilityManagement Function) by means of the NG-C interface and to the UPF (UserPlane Function) by means of the NG-U interface.

The Xn Interface includes Xn user plane (Xn-U), and Xn control plane(Xn-C). The Xn User plane (Xn-U) interface is defined between two NG-RANnodes. The transport network layer is built on IP transport and GTP-U isused on top of UDP/IP to carry the user plane PDUs. Xn-U providesnon-guaranteed delivery of user plane PDUs and supports the followingfunctions: i) Data forwarding, and ii) Flow control. The Xn controlplane interface (Xn-C) is defined between two NG-RAN nodes. Thetransport network layer is built on SCTP on top of IP. The applicationlayer signalling protocol is referred to as XnAP (Xn ApplicationProtocol). The SCTP layer provides the guaranteed delivery ofapplication layer messages. In the transport IP layer point-to-pointtransmission is used to deliver the signalling PDUs. The Xn-C interfacesupports the following functions: i) Xn interface management, ii) UEmobility management, including context transfer and RAN paging, and iii)Dual connectivity.

The NG Interface includes NG User Plane (NG-U) and NG Control Plane(NG-C). The NG user plane interface (NG-U) is defined between the NG-RANnode and the UPF. The transport network layer is built on IP transportand GTP-U is used on top of UDP/IP to carry the user plane PDUs betweenthe NG-RAN node and the UPF. NG-U provides non-guaranteed delivery ofuser plane PDUs between the NG-RAN node and the UPF.

The NG control plane interface (NG-C) is defined between the NG-RAN nodeand the AMF. The transport network layer is built on IP transport. Forthe reliable transport of signalling messages, SCTP is added on top ofIP. The application layer signalling protocol is referred to as NGAP (NGApplication Protocol). The SCTP layer provides guaranteed delivery ofapplication layer messages. In the transport, IP layer point-to-pointtransmission is used to deliver the signalling PDUs.

NG-C provides the following functions: i) NG interface management, ii)UE context management, iii) UE mobility management, iv) ConfigurationTransfer, and v) Warning Message Transmission.

The gNB and ng-eNB host the following functions: i) Functions for RadioResource Management: Radio Bearer Control, Radio Admission Control,Connection Mobility Control, Dynamic allocation of resources to UEs inboth uplink and downlink (scheduling), ii) IP header compression,encryption and integrity protection of data, iii) Selection of an AMF atUE attachment when no routing to an AMF can be determined from theinformation provided by the UE, iv) Routing of User Plane data towardsUPF(s), v) Routing of Control Plane information towards AMF, vi)Connection setup and release, vii) Scheduling and transmission of pagingmessages (originated from the AMF), viii) Scheduling and transmission ofsystem broadcast information (originated from the AMF or O&M), ix)Measurement and measurement reporting configuration for mobility andscheduling, x) Transport level packet marking in the uplink, xi) SessionManagement, xii) Support of Network Slicing, and xiii) QoS Flowmanagement and mapping to data radio bearers. The Access and MobilityManagement Function (AMF) hosts the following main functions: i) NASsignalling termination, ii) NAS signalling security, iii) AS Securitycontrol, iv) Inter CN node signalling for mobility between 3GPP accessnetworks, v) Idle mode UE Reachability (including control and executionof paging retransmission), vi) Registration Area management, vii)Support of intra-system and inter-system mobility, viii) AccessAuthentication, ix) Mobility management control (subscription andpolicies), x) Support of Network Slicing, and xi) SMF selection.

The User Plane Function (UPF) hosts the following main functions: i)Anchor point for Intra-/Inter-RAT mobility (when applicable), ii)External PDU session point of interconnect to Data Network, iii) Packetinspection and User plane part of Policy rule enforcement, iv) Trafficusage reporting, v) Uplink classifier to support routing traffic flowsto a data network, vi) QoS handling for user plane, e.g. packetfiltering, gating, UL/DL rate enforcement, and vii) Uplink Trafficverification (SDF to QoS flow mapping).

The Session Management function (SMF) hosts the following mainfunctions: i) Session Management, ii) UE IP address allocation andmanagement, iii) Selection and control of UP function, iv) Configurestraffic steering at UPF to route traffic to proper destination, v)Control part of policy enforcement and QoS, vi) Downlink DataNotification.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a control plane and a user plane of a radiointerface protocol between a UE and a NG-RAN based on a 3rd generationpartnership project (3GPP) radio access network standard.

The user plane protocol stack contains Phy, MAC, RLC, PDCP and SDAP(Service Data Adaptation Protocol) which is newly introduced to support5G QoS model.

The main services and functions of SDAP entity include i) Mappingbetween a QoS flow and a data radio bearer, and ii) Marking QoS flow ID(QFI) in both DL and UL packets. A single protocol entity of SDAP isconfigured for each individual PDU session.

At the reception of an SDAP SDU from upper layer for a QoS flow, thetransmitting SDAP entity may map the SDAP SDU to the default DRB ifthere is no stored QoS flow to DRB mapping rule for the QoS flow. Ifthere is a stored QoS flow to DRB mapping rule for the QoS flow, theSDAP entity may map the SDAP SDU to the DRB according to the stored QoSflow to DRB mapping rule. And the SDAP entity may construct the SDAP PDUand deliver the constructed SDAP PDU to the lower layers.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of communication devices according to anembodiment of the present invention.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 6 can be a user equipment (UE) and/or eNB orgNB adapted to perform the above mechanism, but it can be any device forperforming the same operation.

As shown in FIG. 6, one of the communication device 1100 and thecommunication device 1200 may be a user equipment (UE) and the other onemat be a base station. Alternatively, one of the communication device1100 and the communication device 1200 may be a UE and the other one maybe another UE. Alternatively, one of the communication device 1100 andthe communication device 1200 may be a network node and the other onemay be another network node. In the present disclosure, the network nodemay be a base station (BS). In some scenarios, the network node may be acore network device (e.g. a network device with a mobility managementfunction, a network device with a session management function, andetc.).

In some scenarios of the present disclosure, either one of thecommunication devices 1100, 1200, or each of the communication devices1100, 1200 may be wireless communication device(s) configured totransmit/receive radio signals to/from an external device, or equippedwith a wireless communication module to transmit/receive radio signalsto/from an external device. The wireless communication module may be atransceiver. The wireless communication device is not limited to a UE ora BS, and the wireless communication device may be any suitable mobilecomputing device that is configured to implement one or moreimplementations of the present disclosure, such as a vehicularcommunication system or device, a wearable device, a laptop, asmartphone, and so on. A communication device which is mentioned as a UEor BS in the present disclosure may be replaced by any wirelesscommunication device such as a vehicular communication system or device,a wearable device, a laptop, a smartphone, and so on.

In the present disclosure, communication devices 1100, 1200 includeprocessors 1111, 1211 and memories 1112, 1212. The communication devices1100 may further include transceivers 1113, 1213 or configured to beoperatively connected to transceivers 1113, 1213.

The processor 1111 and/or 1211 implements functions, procedures, and/ormethods disclosed in the present disclosure. One or more protocols maybe implemented by the processor 1111 and/or 1211. For example, theprocessor 1111 and/or 1211 may implement one or more layers (e.g.,functional layers). The processor 1111 and/or 1211 may generate protocoldata units (PDUs) and/or service data units (SDUs) according tofunctions, procedures, and/or methods disclosed in the presentdisclosure. The processor 1111 and/or 1211 may generate messages orinformation according to functions, procedures, and/or methods disclosedin the present disclosure. The processor 1111 and/or 1211 may generatesignals (e.g. baseband signals) containing PDUs, SDUs, messages orinformation according to functions, procedures, and/or methods disclosedin the present disclosure and provide the signals to the transceiver1113 and/or 1213 connected thereto. The processor 1111 and/or 1211 mayreceive signals (e.g. baseband signals) from the transceiver 1113 and/or1213 connected thereto and obtain PDUs, SDUs, messages or informationaccording to functions, procedures, and/or methods disclosed in thepresent disclosure.

The memory of 1112 and/or 1212 is connected to the processor of thenetwork node and stores various types of PDUs, SDUs, messages,information and/or instructions. The memory 1112 and/or 1212 may bearranged inside or outside the processor 1111 and/or 1211, respectively,and may be connected the processor 1111 and/or 1211, respectively,through various techniques, such as wired or wireless connections.

The transceiver 1113 and/or 1213 is connected to the processor 1111and/or 1211, respectively, and may be controlled by the processor 1111and/or 1211, respectively, to transmit and/or receive a signal to/froman external device. The processor 1111 and/or 1211 may controltransceiver 1113 and/or 1213, respectively, to initiate communicationand to transmit or receive signals including various types ofinformation or data which are transmitted or received through a wiredinterface or wireless interface. The transceivers 1113, 1213 include areceiver to receive signals from an external device and transmit signalsto an external device.

In a wireless communication device such as a UE or BS, an antennafacilitates the transmission and reception of radio signals (i.e.wireless signals). In the wireless communication device, the transceiver1113 or 1213 transmits and/or receives a wireless signal such as a radiofrequency (RF) signal. For a communication device which is a wirelesscommunication device (e.g. BS or UE), the transceiver 1113 or 1213 maybe referred to as a radio frequency (RF) unit. In some implementations,the transceiver 1113 and/or 1213 may forward and convert basebandsignals provided by the processor 1111 and/or 1211 connected theretointo radio signals with a radio frequency. In the wireless communicationdevice, the transceiver 1113 or 1213 may transmit or receive radiosignals containing PDUs, SDUs, messages or information according tofunctions, procedures, and/or methods disclosed in the presentdisclosure via a radio interface (e.g. time/frequency resources). Insome implementations, upon receiving radio signals with a radiofrequency from another communication device, the transceiver 1113 and/or1213 may forward and convert the radio signals to baseband signals forprocessing by the processor 1111 and/or 1211. The radio frequency may bereferred to as a carrier frequency. In a UE, the processed signals maybe processed according to various techniques, such as being transformedinto audible or readable information to be output via a speaker of theUE.

In some scenarios of the present disclosure, functions, procedures,and/or methods disclosed in the present disclosure may be implemented bya processing chip. The processing chip may be a system on chip (SoC).The processing chip may include the processor 1111 or 1211 and thememory 1112 or 1212, and may be mounted on, installed on, or connectedto the communication device 1100 or 1200. The processing chip may beconfigured to perform or control any one of the methods and/or processesdescribed herein and/or to cause such methods and/or processes to beperformed by a communication device which the processing chip is mountedon, installed on, or connected to. The memory 1112 or 1212 in theprocessing chip may be configured to store software codes includinginstructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the processorto perform some or all of functions, methods or processes discussed inthe present disclosure. The memory 1112 or 1212 in the processing chipmay store or buffer information or data generated by the processor ofthe processing chip or information recovered or obtained by theprocessor of the processing chip. One or more processes involvingtransmission or reception of the information or data may be performed bythe processor 1111 or 1211 of the processing chip or under control ofthe processor 1111 or 1211 of the processing chip. For example, atransceiver 1113 or 1213 operably connected or coupled to the processingchip may transmit or receive signals containing the information or dataunder the control of the processor 1111 or 1211 of the processing chip.

For a communication device which is a wireless communication device(e.g. BS or UE), the communication device may include or be equippedwith a single antenna or multiple antennas. The antenna may beconfigured to transmit and/or receive a wireless signal to/from anotherwireless communication device.

For a communication device which is a UE, the communication device mayfurther include or be equipped with a power management module, anantenna, a battery, a display, a keypad, a Global Positioning System(GPS) chip, a sensor, a memory device, a Subscriber IdentificationModule (SIM) card (which may be optional), a speaker and/or amicrophone. The UE may include or be equipped with a single antenna ormultiple antennas. A user may enter various types of information (e.g.,instructional information such as a telephone number), by varioustechniques, such as by pushing buttons of the keypad or by voiceactivation using the microphone. The processor of the UE receives andprocesses the user's information and performs the appropriatefunction(s), such as dialing the telephone number. In some scenarios,data (e.g., operational data) may be retrieved from the SIM card or thememory device to perform the function(s). In some scenarios, theprocessor of the UE may receive and process GPS information from a GPSchip to perform functions related to a position or a location of a UE,such as vehicle navigation, a map service, and so on. In some scenarios,the processor may display these various types of information and data onthe display for the user's reference and convenience. In someimplementations, a sensor may be coupled to the processor of the UE. Thesensor may include one or more sensing devices configured to detectvarious types of information including, but not limited to, speed,acceleration, light, vibration, proximity, location, image and so on.The processor of the UE may receive and process sensor informationobtained from the sensor and may perform various types of functions,such as collision avoidance, autonomous driving and so on. Variouscomponents (e.g., a camera, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, etc.) maybe further included in the UE. For example, a camera may be furthercoupled to the processor of the UE and may be used for various servicessuch as autonomous driving, a vehicle safety service and so on. In somescenarios, some components, e.g., a keypad, a Global Positioning System(GPS) chip, a sensor, a speaker and/or a microphone, may not beimplemented in a UE.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram for performing a SPS activation and a SPSdeactivation in a prior art.

In addition, with Configured Grants, the network can allocate uplinkresources for the initial HARQ transmissions to UEs. Two types ofconfigured uplink grants are defined.

With Type 1, RRC directly provides the configured uplink grant(including the periodicity.

With Type 2, RRC defines the periodicity of the configured uplink grantwhile PDCCH addressed to CS-RNTI can either signal and activate theconfigured uplink grant, or deactivate it; i.e. a PDCCH addressed toCS-RNTI indicates that the uplink grant can be implicitly reusedaccording to the periodicity defined by RRC, until deactivated. Here,Type 2 is referred to as SPS.

For SPS activation and release, the UE receives PDCCH command addressedby SPS C-RNTI with NDI value set to 1. The PDCCH contents can indicatewhether SPS release or activation. In the TTI the UE receives the PDCCHfor SPS activation/release, the UE activates/releases the SPS resources.

Up to Rel-12, for UL SPS activation/release, the UE sends no feedback.For SPS activation, the eNB can implicitly know whether the UEsuccessfully receives the PDCCH for SPS activation/release by monitoringwhether the UE transmits a MAC PDU on the allocated resources or not.For SPS release, due to implicit SPS release, resource waste due toPDCCH loss could be resolved.

In Rel-13, in the scope of latency reduction study item, it was agreedto allow for the UE to skip uplink transmission if there is no data totransmit. As a result, the eNB cannot tell whether the UE has no dataavailable for transmission or the UE has no SPS grants due to e.g.,release of SPS grants or loss of PDCCH for SPS activation. In order tocope with this problem, it has been proposed to send a feedback for SPSactivation/release by transmitting an SPS confirmation MAC ControlElement.

In LTE, if a PDCCH contents indicating SPS release or SPS activating isreceived, and if the MAC entity is configured with skipUplinkTxSPS, theUE triggers an SPS confirmation. And when SPS confirmation has beentriggered and not cancelled and if the MAC entity has UL resourcesallocated for new transmission for this TTI, the UE instructs theMultiplexing and Assembly procedure to generate an SPS confirmation MACControl Element, and cancels the triggered SPS confirmation. The MACentity shall clear the configured uplink grant immediately after firsttransmission of SPS confirmation MAC Control Element triggered by theSPS release.

In NR, if an uplink grant for this PDCCH occasion has been received forthis Serving Cell on the PDCCH for the MAC entity's CS-RNTI, and ifPDCCH contents indicate configured grant Type 2 deactivation, the UEtriggers configured uplink grant confirmation. And if an uplink grantfor this PDCCH occasion has been received for this Serving Cell on thePDCCH for the MAC entity's CS-RNTI and if PDCCH contents indicateconfigured grant Type 2 activation, the UE triggers configured uplinkgrant confirmation.

If the configured uplink grant confirmation has been triggered and notcancelled, and if the MAC entity has UL resources allocated for newtransmission, the UE instructs the Multiplexing and Assembly procedureto generate an Configured Grant Confirmation MAC CE and cancels thetriggered configured uplink grant confirmation. For a configured grantType 2, the MAC entity shall clear the configured uplink grantimmediately after first transmission of Configured Grant ConfirmationMAC CE triggered by the configured uplink grant deactivation.

As shown FIG. 7, the confirmation MAC Control Element (or ConfiguredGrant Confirmation MAC CE) should be transmitted in response to thedeactivation/activation command, respectively.

In short, SPS can be activated by PDCCH masked with SPS C-RNTI with theNew Data Indicator (NDI) field set to 0 and the configured resourcewould be used until SPS released.

Meanwhile, to deactivate SPS, the explicit SPS release command or theimplicit SPS release mechanism is used. A UE needs to receive SPSrelease command and send SPS confirmation for the explicit SPS release.On the other hand, in implicit SPS release mechanism, the UE shall clearthe configured resources immediately after a certain number ofconsecutive new MAC PDUs each containing zero MAC SDUs on the SPSresource.

The sSPS on PCell was introduced in RAN2#99bis, and in RAN2#100, RAN2agreed that SPS and sSPS are not active at the same time. Upon theseagreements, a method for switching for from SPS to sSPS, and vice versa,is required without explicit SPS release command.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for performing a SPS activation inmultiple SPS resources by a User Equipment in wireless communicationsystem according to embodiments of the present invention.

This embodiment describes from a user equipment perspective.

In this invention, it is proposed that, for the MAC entity configuredwith multiple SPS resources, the MAC entity deactivates an SPS resourcewhich is already activated if the MAC entity receives an SPS activationcommand which activates a SPS resource which is different from thealready activated SPS resource. In other words, the MAC entitydeactivates the SPS resource which is already activated even withoutreceiving an SPS deactivation command for that SPS resource.

A MAC entity is configured with multiple SPS resources according byreceiving multiple SPS configuration from a network (S801).

Preferably, each of the multiple SPS configuration includesconfiguration information for a set of SPS resources. A set of SPSresources includes multiple SPS transmission occasions according toe.g., an SPS periodicity.

Preferably, multiple sets of SPS resources may or may not be configuredon a same carrier/cell.

Preferably, multiple sets of SPS resources can be configured based ondifferent numerologies, e.g., sTTI vs normal TTI.

When the MAC entity receives an SPS activation command which activates afirst set of SPS resources from the network (S803), the MAC entitydeactivates the second set of SPS resources which is already activatedin the MAC entity even if the MAC entity doesn't receive an SPSdeactivation command which deactivates the second set of SPS resources(S805).

Preferably, when the MAC entity deactivates second set of SPS resources,it means that the MAC entity clears the second set of SPS resources andstops using the second set of SPS resources while the RRC entity keepsthe SPS configuration.

Preferably, if there is an already activated second set SPS resources inthe MAC entity and if the first set of SPS resources indicated by theSPS activation command is different from a second set of SPS resourceswhich is already activated in the MAC entity, the MAC entity deactivatesthe second set of SPS resources which is already activated in the MACentity even if the MAC entity doesn't receive an SPS deactivationcommand which deactivates the second set of SPS resources.

The MAC entity activates the first set of SPS resources which isindicated by the SPS activation command (S807).

Preferably when the MAC entity activates/reactivates an SPS resources,it means that the MAC entity initializes/re-initializes the first set ofSPS resources and starts using the first set of SPS resources.

And the MAC entity transmits SPS confirmation MAC CE which indicatesthat the MAC entity successfully deactivates the already activated SPSresources and activates the new SPS resources (S809).

Meanwhile, if the first set of SPS resources indicated by the SPSactivation command is the same as the second set of SPS resources whichis already activated in the MAC entity, or if there is no SPS resourcewhich is already activated in the MAC entity, the MAC entityactivates/reactivates the SPS resource which is indicated by the SPSactivation command.

In this invention, when the MAC entity successfully deactivates thesecond set of SPS resources and activates the first set of SPSresources, the MAC entity stops transmitting an uplink data to thenetwork on the second set of SPS resources and the MAC entity startstransmitting an uplink data on the first set of SPS resources.

That is, when the MAC entity receives a new SPS activation command, theMAC entity activates new SPS resources and starts to use the new SPSresources and stops to use the previous SPS resources even without theexplicit previous SPS release command.

For example, if the MAC entity configured with SPS #1 and SPS #2, andSPS #1 is already activated, the MAC entity switches from SPS #1 to SPS#2 when the MAC entity receives SPS activation command for SPS #2, i.e.the MAC entity activates SPS #2 and starts to use SPS #2 resources totransmit data and stops to use SPS #1 resources even without theexplicit SPS release command for SPS #1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the UE (1100 or 1200) may comprises processor (1111or 1211), Memory (1112 or 1212) and RF module (transceiver; 1113 or1213). The processor (1111 or 1211) is electrically connected with thetransceiver (1113 or 1213) and controls it.

Specifically, FIG. 6 may represent a UE comprising a processor (1111 or1211) operably coupled with a memory (1112 or 1212) and configured toreceive an activation command for a first set of Semi-PersistentScheduling (SPS) resources from a network, wherein a second set of SPSresources which is already activated on the UE, activate the first setof SPS resources and deactivating the second set of SPS resources basedon the activation command for the first set of SPS resources, andtransmit a SPS confirmation Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element(CE) which indicates that the UE successfully deactivates the second setof SPS resources and activates the first set of SPS resources, in aresponse to the activation command for the first set of SPS resources.

The proposed method is implemented by may be implemented by a processingchip. In case of a system on chip (SoC), the processing chip may includethe processor 1111 or 1211 and the memory 1112 or 1212, and may bemounted on, installed on, or connected to the communication device 1100or 1200.

The processing chip may be configured to receive an activation commandfor a first set of Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) resources from anetwork, wherein a second set of SPS resources which is alreadyactivated, activate the first set of SPS resources and deactivating thesecond set of SPS resources based on the activation command for thefirst set of SPS resources, and transmit a SPS confirmation MediumAccess Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) which indicates that thesecond set of SPS resources is successfully deactivated and the firstset of SPS resources is successfully activated, in a response to theactivation command for the first set of SPS resources.

The memory 1112 or 1212 in the processing chip may be configured tostore software codes including instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, causes the processor to perform some or all of functions,methods or processes discussed in the present disclosure.

The transceiver 1113 or 1213 operably connected or coupled to theprocessing chip.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for performing a SPS activation inmultiple SPS resources by a network in wireless communication systemaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

This embodiment describes from a base station perspective.

The network transmits multiple SPS configuration for configuring themultiple SPS resources to the UE (S901).

Preferably, each of the multiple SPS configuration includesconfiguration information for a set of SPS resources. A set of SPSresources includes multiple SPS transmission occasions according toe.g., an SPS periodicity.

Preferably, multiple sets of SPS resources may or may not be configuredon a same carrier/cell.

Preferably, multiple sets of SPS resources can be configured based ondifferent numerologies, e.g., sTTI vs normal TTI.

The network transmits an SPS activation command which activates a secondset of SPS resources to the UE (S903).

In this case, since there are no already activated SPS resources, the UEactivates the second set of SPS resources indicated by the SPSactivation command and starts to use second set of SPS resources.

The network receives a SPS confirmation MAC CE which indicates that theUE successfully activates the second set of SPS resource (S905).

The network transmits an SPS activation command which activates a firstset of SPS resources to the UE (S907).

In this case, when the UE receives the SPS activation command, the MACentity activates the first set of SPS resources indicated by the SPSactivation command and starts to use first set of SPS resources andstops to use the previous activated second set SPS resources evenwithout the explicit previous SPS release command.

Thus, the network receives a SPS confirmation MAC CE which indicatesthat the UE successfully deactivates the already activated SPS resources(e.g. a second set of SPS resource) and activates the new SPS resources(e.g. a first set of SPS resource) (S909).

The proposed method is implemented by a network apparatus, shown in FIG.6, but it can be any apparatus for performing the same operation.

As shown in FIG. 6, the network apparatus may comprises a processor(1111 or 1211), Memory (1112 or 1212), and RF module (transceiver; 1113or 1213). The processor (1113 or 1213) is electrically connected withthe transceiver (1113 or 1213) and controls it.

Specifically, FIG. 6 may represent a network apparatus comprising aprocessor (1111 or 1211) operably coupled with the RF module(transceiver; 1113 or 1213) and configured to transmit multiple SPSconfiguration for configuring the multiple SPS resources to the UE,transmit an SPS activation command which activates a first set of SPSresources, and receive a SPS confirmation MAC CE which indicates thatthe UE successfully deactivates the already activated SPS resources(e.g. a second set of SPS resource) and activates the new SPS resources(e.g. a first set of SPS resource).

FIG. 10 is an example for performing a SPS activation in multiple SPSresources in wireless communication system according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

A MAC entity is configured with a set of SPS resources and a set of sSPSresources (S1001).

When the MAC entity receives SPS activation command which activates theset of SPS resources (S1003), the MAC entity activates the set of SPSresources and starts to use the set of SPS resources (S1005).

When the MAC entity receives SPS activation command which activates theset of sSPS resources (S1007), the MAC entity deactivates the set of SPSresources and stops to use the set of SPS resources (S1009).

The MAC entity activates the set of sSPS resources and starts to use theset of sSPS resources for uplink data transmission (S1011).

The UE transmits a SPS confirmation MAC CE which indicates that the UEsuccessfully deactivates the set of SPS resources and activates the setof sSPS resources (S1013).

The aforementioned implementations are achieved by combination ofstructural elements and features of the present disclosure in apredetermined manner. Each of the structural elements or features shouldbe considered selectively unless specified separately. Each of thestructural elements or features may be carried out without beingcombined with other structural elements or features. In addition, somestructural elements and/or features may be combined with one another toconstitute the implementations of the present disclosure. The order ofoperations described in the implementations of the present disclosuremay be changed. Some structural elements or features of oneimplementation may be included in another implementation, or may bereplaced with corresponding structural elements or features of anotherimplementation. Moreover, it is apparent that some claims referring tospecific claims may be combined with another claims referring to theother claims other than the specific claims to constitute theimplementation or add new claims by amendment after the application isfiled.

The above-described embodiments may be implemented by various means, forexample, by hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof.

In a hardware configuration, the method according to the embodiments ofthe present invention may be implemented by one or more ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs),Digital Signal Processing Devices (DSPDs), Programmable Logic Devices(PLDs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,microcontrollers, or microprocessors, etc.

In a firmware or software configuration, the method according to theembodiments of the present invention may be implemented in the form ofmodules, procedures, functions, etc. performing the above-describedfunctions or operations. Software code may be stored in a memory unitand executed by a processor. The memory unit may be located at theinterior or exterior of the processor and may transmit and receive datato and from the processor via various known means.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention maybe carried out in other specific ways than those set forth hereinwithout departing from essential characteristics of the presentinvention. The above embodiments are therefore to be construed in allaspects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the inventionshould be determined by the appended claims, not by the abovedescription, and all changes coming within the meaning of the appendedclaims are intended to be embraced therein.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

While the above-described method has been described centering on anexample applied to the 3GPP LTE and NR system, the present invention isapplicable to a variety of wireless communication systems in addition tothe 3GPP LTE and NR system.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method performed by a communicationdevice operating in a wireless communication system, the methodcomprising: receiving an activation command for a first set ofSemi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) resources from a network, wherein asecond set of SPS resources is already activated on the communicationdevice; activating the first set of SPS resources and deactivating thesecond set of SPS resources based on the activation command for thefirst set of SPS resources; and transmitting a SPS confirmation MediumAccess Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) which indicates that thecommunication device successfully deactivates the second set of SPSresources and activates the first set of SPS resources, in a response tothe activation command for the first set of SPS resources, wherein thesecond set of SPS resources are deactivated based on the activationcommand without receiving a deactivation command for deactivating thesecond set of SPS resources, and wherein, based on deactivation of thesecond set of SPS resources without receiving the deactivation command,a MAC entity of the communication device stops using the second set ofSPS resources and keeps the second set of SPS resources.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising: starting transmitting anuplink data to the network on the first set of SPS resources.
 3. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the first set of SPS resources andthe second set of SPS resources are configured with different length ofTransmission Time Intervals (TTIs) respectively.
 4. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the communication device is capable of communicatingwith at least one of another communication device, a communicationdevice related to an autonomous driving vehicle, a base station and/or anetwork.
 5. A communication device for operating in a wirelesscommunication system, the communication device comprising: a memory; anda processor operably coupled with the memory and configured to: receivean activation command for a first set of Semi-Persistent Scheduling(SPS) resources from a network, wherein a second set of SPS resources isalready activated on the communication device, activate the first set ofSPS resources and deactivate the second set of SPS resources based onthe activation command for the first set of SPS resources, and transmita SPS confirmation Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE)which indicates that the communication device successfully deactivatesthe second set of SPS resources and activates the first set of SPSresources, in a response to the activation command for the first set ofSPS resources, wherein the second set of SPS resources are deactivatedbased on the activation command without receiving a deactivation commandfor deactivating the second set of SPS resources, and wherein, based ondeactivation of the second set of SPS resources without receiving thedeactivation command, a MAC entity of the UE stops using the second setof SPS resources and keeps the second set of SPS resources.
 6. Thecommunication device according to claim 5, wherein the processor isfurther configured to: start transmitting an uplink data to the networkon the first set of SPS resources.
 7. The communication device accordingto claim 5, wherein the first set of SPS resources and the second set ofSPS resources are configured with different length of Transmission TimeIntervals (TTIs) respectively.
 8. The communication device according toclaim 5, wherein the communication device is capable of communicatingwith at least one of another communication device, a communicationdevice related to an autonomous driving vehicle, a base station and/or anetwork.